Second half 19th century, 355 x 180 cm, North East Caucasus, Daghestan

Collection VOK: Caucasus - Persia 14

Woven in a village inhabited by Avars, this large single-panel kilim displays the characteristic technique of this kind of Daghestan flatweaves - "lazy lines", single weft interlocking and overstitched design outlines. Abrashed in several places, the dark blue field is filled by two huge, red diagonal crosses, their ends decorated with branching hooks reminiscent of antlers. A blue wavy vine bearing hooks undulates through the red border. Lacking additional ornaments and drawn in a two-dimensional style, this expansive design is strongly reminiscent of Central Asian felt carpets from which it probably derives. – Slight signs of wear, good condition.

VOK, IGNAZIO, Vok Collection. Caucasus-Persia. Gilim and other Flatweaves. (Text by Hamid Sadighi) Munich 1996, no. 14